The Destruction of Batana

I'M ZENZEN

The sun is starting to rise. Marking the rising dawn. It was just that this place was too dark to watch the morning sunrise start to appear. Not because of the morning fog let alone dew, but dirty air and tall buildings that look crowded and seedy. Some people started to run out of the house. One or two who appeared to be sleeping in the shop began to wake up before the store owner arrived. They all wear masks. There is no word of friendly air in this age. Everyone must wear a mask wherever they go if they do not want to get sick.

The dim street lights began to turn off. The wires that crossed between the buildings swayed slowly. This area is very far from the city center. It really is on the edge and hardly considered part of this metropolitan city.

I'm Zenzen.

It has absolutely no meaning. The name my parents gave me originally. Same with the name of this slum. is very unattractive and does not have any meaning. I looked at everyone who started working on the streets. Staring at them behind the worn out windows with a very strong rusty iron smell.

I'm so hungry. This morning, not a single meal was on the table with a variety of messy furniture. I peeked at my brother who was still asleep in his bed of reot. He didn't move a bit. Cuddling up while holding his stomach. I'm sure he's just as hungry right now as I am. It was just that he was holding it back by continuing to fall asleep. At least hold on until the afternoon comes back.

I decided to go back to my room. There's nothing I can do. After all, I only need to hold my hunger until the afternoon. At least if it is late afternoon, there are some shops that throw out food that has expired or is not worth eating. We can take it from those shops. If lucky, we can get stock for the next two days.

THE CLONTANG!

I heard a commotion outside. The sound sounded like a can falling. I decided to look out the window to see where the sound was coming from. And I found someone climbing through an iron pipe. None other than my friend. Agian.

“Sssssstttt..” Agia placed her index finger on the tip of her lip. Signal not to be noisy.

I just shake my head. Why else would he have to sneak in by climbing like that.

Agia has entered my room through the window. Sitting on my bed patting his dusty clothes.

“Your sister is asleep?” His whisper.

I nodded in response.

“Ah, thank goodness then. I just brought a little food for us to share.” Agia reached into her pocket and took out something that had been wrapped in cloth.

“Hey, where did you get this food?” I asked.

“Hehehe, especially if not steal it.” Agia answered casually.

Holy hooch! I patted my eel. How's she...

“Have it, just eat it. Don't talk much.” Agia stuffed food into my mouth before I could protest.

I surrendered. The hunger in my stomach is greater than my patience. I swallowed the food greedily. Forgetting it was stolen.

Agia smiled broadly at me. “Easy, right? Moreover, the food is not stale food and not expired food. And most importantly healthy for our digestion.”

“Hey, don't you have any more? My brother has to eat too. At least for this morning.”

“You're crazy, huh? You want to kill yourself? Your brother must be wondering where you got this food from. There you even beaten your brother to a pulp. You know for yourself, right? Your brother hates stolen goods the most. Hah, really not out of thought. Listen, yeah... Adults have the ability to resist hunger for longer than young children. If you only care about others, you will never be able to survive.”

“Then why did you bring me food?” I replied to her words.

Agia was silent for a moment. “Eh, I'd like to make an offer to you in exchange for the food I gave you.”

The room was silent for a moment. I don't know why I know what Agia is thinking right now.

“I don't want.” I said ketus.

Agia rounded her eyes. “Oi! I haven't even said anything.”

“If it had to do with stealing, I would never, no, no. Point.” I turned my face away. Walk towards the table in the corner of the room. Pretend writing.

“Come, Zen.... When do you want to live like this? You know more than anyone. We were born unlucky. Born in a shanty town and has no parents. Moreover, our current residence is an illegal building. We cannot work, let alone get an education. Everyone looks down on us and is a very disgusting person. We must go to great lengths to get a piece of bread whereas others do not. Which side of us can be saved?”

I squeezed my fingers. On one hand I thought all of Agia's words were true but on the other hand I tried to say if it was the wrong thing.

“As far as you are! I'm telling you because you're my best friend. Just like you if you want to continue being stubborn like this. I warned you, Zen. As a friend, I will appreciate your decision. If you choose the path I take, I will be happy to accept you. But if you choose your path..” Agia sighed for a moment, “you believe, I don't want to know.”

Agia rushed out the window. His leg slipped. Surprised me. But he returned to his position. Put on a stiff face and slide down the pipe. He ran and disappeared at the end of the alley. I'm sure he's withstanding tremendous embarrassment.

I took a deep breath. I have always suffered all this time. But the one message I always remember before my parents died, is that I must not steal anything cruel to me. Because that's the word I survive. Because of that sentence I was patient, and because of that sentence I was able to continue living with my brother. Although he had an injury that left him paralyzed. I'm always patient.

“Zen...”.

I who heard my brother's moans rushed to his room. Brother is awake. His thin face and unkempt long hair made him look very well-groomed. That's how things are. Due to the severe injuries he had sustained, Big Brother became helpless. I'm the only life support for him. I'm the only one he has.

“Zen, I don't know why this morning my stomach is so hungry. Weird, right?” Brother looks dazed. He was still holding his stomach.

I'm speechless. What if my sister gets sick? What am I supposed to do?

“Se....At least Brother should drink now. I'm sure the pain was only a moment.” I ran a panting bar. It's not usually like this.

My brother started drinking the water I gave. Although it can not be said as clean water, but enough for us to quench thirst.

Brother is still grimacing in pain. I don't know what to do. My stomach is also empty. It seems like a very emergency.

“Kak, wait a minute. I'll seek help.” I rushed out of the house.

That day my story began. The story of my hatred for the world. A story of my revenge and my pain. That day, will be the day that my destiny line begins to take shape.

I continued to browse alley by alley. Begging for help at every store I visit. But they all did not look at me at all. Busy with their own business. Worse, they'll kick me out while scolding me. Sometimes I scavenge for garbage, hoping to find food. Nil, if there is only rotten food that is completely inedible.

The day is starting to get hot. The heat of the sun makes sweat and sweat pour. Plus the dirty air in this slum. I kept forcing my feet to walk. I was so scared to go home. I don't want to hear my brother's moans. So I forced myself to get food. But today I really was unlucky. I haven't gotten a piece of food let alone money. There aren't.

The afternoon begins. I sat on one of the abandoned store terraces. In the end, I could only wait until the afternoon. Unfortunately, the cloud began to cover the sky. I don't know why nature is hostile to me now. I was really unlucky today.

Rain is pouring down the streets. Wetting the streetlights, wetting the building, wetting me on the edge of the shop. It's going to be harder for me to find food. Most likely the landfill will get wet and it will spoil any leftover food that has been thrown away.

“Do I just go home, yes?” My fists.

When I decided to go home before the rain was really heavy, someone upstairs threw water right at me. I'm speechless. The man hurriedly closed the window. Not saying an apology. I squeezed my fingers. Is someone like me not worthy of apology?

“We were born unlucky..”.

At a time like this I even remembered Agia's words this morning. The fact of how sad my life is is indisputable. It's getting me angry and upset. On the other hand, I feel guilty. If only this morning I had not been selfish in eating the food that Agia gave me alone, I might not have ended up like this. If only this morning I had told Big Brother that Agia brought me some food, maybe you won't be in pain.

I looked up at the sky. Thunder rumbled and the rain grew heavier. I who was already wet was getting soaked by the harsh rain wash. The rain spilled and hit me right in the face. Right, I haven't had a drink since this morning. Not thinking long, I held rainwater using my hands. Then gulp.

That's when I felt so sad. My tears began to spill as the rain hit my face. In front of a shop, under the street lights, by the cobbled side of the road, I sobbed. I was only a twelve-year-old child, what kind of mistake I made to the point that my life was this sad.

You're not wrong, but the world is wrong.

I wiped my tears. Right, it's not my fault. This world is what makes me live like this.

Under the heavy rain, I began to make decisions. I'll keep walking under the cloud. I'll hide behind the shadows. I'll laugh behind the sadness. I'm tired of all this. If I live like this, I will make everyone feel my pain. I'll make everyone feel my hatred.

I rushed to run towards a house. Not a house, rather an illegal building occupied. It was none other than Agia's residence. Today I will learn from him. I'll follow all his directions. Only he can help me. Only he will show me. A way to survive in this cruel world.

I entered the shabby building in clothes that were soaked. I take off the mask I always wear wherever I go. I don't want to be held back by something anymore. Let me breathe this dirty air free. Stupid thought of my parents' second message. After all, they're gone. What can they do?

I knocked slowly on the rusted iron door. I heard someone running in a hurry. The door started to crackle. Make noise that is uncomfortable to hear. Agia pulled out her head. He was surprised to look at me. Maybe he didn't expect me to visit after the incident.

Lightning strikes. Make a bright moment of a dim room that is only illuminated by dim lights. Agia picked up the towel and threw it right at my face. I rubbed my face and hair using the towel.

“A, what's your goal here?” Agia asked awkwardly.

“Agia it looks like I will follow your path...” I'm down.

Lightning strikes. Make the room glow for a moment. Agia smiled faintly. He extended his hand towards me.

“Then welcome to join, Zenzen.”

The rain has not stopped. The night is approaching. I decided not to go home first. It would be painful if I didn't go home without food. There I'll just hear my brother's moans all night. I decided to follow Agia tonight. Especially if it's not stealing.

Agia explained things to me. He joined a small group. Only about six people. If I join, then the total will be seven. We broke through the torrential rain in the middle of the pitch. Wearing a coat to the toe.

Agia gave me some food. A little bit, at least I need energy. I have strengthened my heart. I won't hesitate. I just need to keep this matter a secret from Big Brother, right? That way I will be safe.

I was twelve at the time. Agia is a year older than me. I've considered him like my brother compared to a friend. Different with me. Agia was born without seeing her parents. I don't know what happened to her parents. At least I only know if she ever lived with someone until she was seven. He never told me who was taking care of him.

We met when I was six. At that time my mother had died from an accident that also resulted in the paralysis of my brother. I'm still being cared for by Dad. It's just that my dad has a very chronic respiratory illness. In the end he left me and my brother. Following the departure of Mother.

In my moment of grief over loss, it was Agia who first extended her hand. Offering me help. Although she doesn't like my sister. But I never hated him. Even if there is only one person who cares about me, I won't bother about it.